Published: October 6, 2025
Liven up your Saturdays, and your taste buds at the Portland Farmers’ Market, conveniently nestled within Deering Oaks Park. Lizzy Lynch, student body president and resident assistant, organized a walk to the Portland Farmers’ Market from Portland Commons on September 26th to introduce students to a fun and easy way to access local produce. Once the students arrived, they were greeted by cheerful farmers, fragrant bouquets, an endless assortment of colorful and fresh produce, delicious treats, and most importantly, the feeling of being a part of a vibrant local community. Students who are looking for a refreshing weekend activity that builds valuable connections to the community will find it at the Portland Farmers’ Market.
The Portland Farmers’ Market nurtures these feelings of community through what Sarah Farrugia, Campus Food Pantry and Food Security Coordinator and Portland Farmers’ Market Booth Volunteer describes as a “fun social environment.” Community member Terry, who has been a regular at the Portland Farmers’ Market for many years, joyfully spoke about the community she has been able to build. “It is wonderful to come back in the spring and become reacquainted with the farmers.” Portland Farmers’ Market also nourishes the community in numerous ways such as offering programs that alleviate food insecurity and boosting the local economy by putting money directly into the hands of local farmers. Whenever students spend their money at the Portland Farmers’ Market, they are making a difference in their local community by contributing to these efforts. Students who are hoping to stretch their food budget can participate in the Maine Harvest Bucks program. According to Farrugia, Maine Harvest Bucks generously matches every dollar spent with SNAP/EBT by 100 percent.
I enjoyed how the Portland Farmers’ Market is full of delightful surprises and memorable moments that playfully peek out and enliven the senses. The Portland Farmers’ Market celebrates the uniqueness of the Portland community with offerings that you cannot find anywhere else. While browsing the farmers’ market, I was awed by all the interesting products, and I ended the trip by treating myself to an intriguing bouquet from Meadowood Farm which was peppered with charming flowers that defied my prior knowledge about plants. Bruce Hincks, a farmer for Meadowood Farm, said it best: “The stand speaks for itself.”
